Advice Please

[nursejudy]

Here found this site ,as its been suggested its time for me to look at filters and the like which would be the best ones for me to start with.....

[Clifftop]

Judy we are of like mind, i just asked the question on another forum yesterday, 3 replies

 

My question

(1)has anyone tried or has/have the close up lens filters=+1-=+2 =+4 =+10.

 

are they worth it as in value for money, do they make a big difference or can you not tell the difference.

(2)any thoughts on ND filters

 

(3) thoughts on colour polarizers. IE the red green orange yellow

 

Reply No 1

Close up lenses are really not that relevant today, with the availability of macro on most modern lenses. They were useful to reduce the minimum focus distance of lenses, "reading glasses for your standard lens" if you will. They also introduce a fair bit of barrel distortion to you lens.

 

ND filters are more useful, although again with the abailty to change ISO speed on digital cameras, not quite as necessary today. Here is an article on their use.

Graduated ND filters are much more useful, particularly in landscape photography, where you can manipulate the sky etc. Cokin make a very good range not only neutral, ie grey, but various colours as well.

 

Haven't used the colour polarizers, so can't comment, they do give some interesting effects though.

Reply No 2

 

Supplemental close up lenses are handy if you don't have interchangeable lenses, or can't afford a macro-lens.

 

In the single-element filters, quality is from fair to lousy. The weak ones are mostly Ok, but the strong ones cost a fair bit for quality---a cheap one (eg. mine) will give overall softness and hideous barrel distortion. Don't use them wide open, stop down a fair bit. The better multi-element diopters (eg from raynox) are reputed to be really good, (maybe search on flickr.com for your camera model + raynox, to find examples).

 

ND filters have their place, when you want to increase shutter time or use a wider aperture for selective focus.

 

Polarizers are handy, but coloured effects I'd just do digitally nowadays.

 

Reply No 3

Close-up lenses can enable extreme close-up, beyond the macro capability, even to the extent of allowing the object distance to be within the lens (theoretically) - which is physically impossible.

 

Anything you add to the optical path will generally reduce depth of focus. To regain depth of focus, you must reduce the aperture; the same as when you squint your eyes in darker environments. To compensate, you may be able to increase the exposure time, which could be awkward for action shots or a poorly-mounted camera. Massaging the ISO setting should sort out the optimum for each condition.

 

I did google after reading these and there are so many different views i may just bite the bullet and buy 1 Graduated ND filter and see how the results go.

 

Im pretty sure i read something on here either by cameraman or chippy regarding filters.

 

Cheers Fred

[Snatcher]

Well I am am virtually a filter virgin I possess 2 filters,a ND and a grad ND.Just started using them in the last month or so.What a difference it makes. Do not burn out the sky so much now.In fact with my sunrise shots sometimes put both in to get a longer exposure on a lower ISO and I think I am getting better results from it.

 

Way to go Snatcher may even go for a polaroid filter next and then thats me sorted! I suppose I will need to buy another filter holder then? I assume the polaroid filters will be round?

Edited January 31, 2009 by Snatcher

[Sutton Warrior]

I am the last to advise on filters . . . However, if you want to protect you lens glass a UV filter is worth while, has advantagouse effects on the final picture, eliminates the blue cast see on sunny days. A polerising filter is usefull but depends on how the lens operates, 'internal focusing'? ND and Grads, thats for the more expeianced to go at explaining. I have just posted my experiance so far with 'cheap filters' from fleeBay, definatly 'buyer beware'. By the way Judy, you have a 55mm lens thead, sorry if you already new

 

SW

Edited January 31, 2009 by Sutton Warrior

[Sutton Warrior]

Well I am am virtually a filter virgin I possess 2 filters,a ND and a grad ND.Just started using them in the last month or so.What a difference it makes. Do not burn out the sky so much now.In fact with my sunrise shots sometimes put both in to get a longer exposure on a lower ISO and I think I am getting better results from it.

 

Way to go Snatcher may even go for a polaroid filter next and then thats me sorted! I suppose I will need to buy another filter holder then? I assume the polaroid filters will be round?

 

 

So you using Cokin ND/Grad system Snatcher? More info please

 

SW

[Snatcher]

Yep Cokin - must dash as about to use them in anger - hopefully!!!

 

John

[Ollie Jay]

not sure if this place will be of much help but i tend to get my filters when i do buy em from there....good service so far.

 

http://www.surreyphotographyshop.co.uk/

 

Ollie.

[Snatcher]

Well I did go out for a dawn shot this morning but the light was flat as a witches The idea was to frame this coble with the sunrise - I will have my day!!!!

 

 

Back to filters.These are the two I possess.

 

 

Any advice on "must have" filters gladly taken on.Bearing in mind 99% of my shots are lanscapes/seascapes.Although I might branch out into a few family/friends portrait shots.

 

John

[Sutton Warrior]

Any advice on "must have" filters gladly taken on.Bearing in mind 99% of my shots are lanscapes/seascapes.Although I might branch out into a few family/friends portrait shots.

 

John

 

Hay Snatcher, Branch out, I thought you were no.1 expert in 'Pubscapes'

 

Looking at Coking filters for the spring/summer, seems a lot of us are thinking this way?

 

SW